Shoe-stretcher.



T. A. LITTLBJOHN.

SHOE STRETGHER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11,1913.

1,100,752. 1 Patented June 23, 1914.

Wm l .T 02225512 .Ziff/sinfn y a, 69M, lym /Qw THOMAS AUGUSTUSLJTTLEJOHN, 0F PAINESVILLE, OHIOv SHOE-STRETGHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2e, 1914.

Application filed September 11, 1913. Serial No. 789,241.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS AUGUSTUSLITTLEJOHN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Painesville, inthe county of Lake and State of Ohio, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Shoe- Stretchers, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to devices stretching shoes lengthwise andlaterally.

ln the construction of the shoe stretcher at present in common use, thebody portion or form is in two halves, being divided longitudinally. Thelateral stretching is accomplished by a rod threaded into a sleevemounted on trunnions in the heel portions of the form, the forward endof said rod being swiveled to a wedge, adapted to spread the forwardparts of the form when the rod is screwed forward. There being nolongitudinal adjustment of the form, there is no buttress for the rearthrust of the operating rod, consequently unless the form fits snugendwise in the shoe, as the wedge is forced forward, the whole formslides rearward. Thus the utility ofthe device is limited, as it is notpossible to accommodate the same stretcher to various lengths of shoesand maintain the pressure at the desired point without interposingblocks or other suitable packing in the heel as a buttress for thelongitudinal thrust. The stretching functions of the ordinary device arealso confined to the lateral movement, there being no provision for alongitudinal stress.

The objects of my invention are the provision of means whereby the shoemay be stretched lengthwise or laterally with the same device, andwhereby the pressure necessary for the lateral stretching is readilyapplied at the desired location, and when suflicient stress has beenapplied, the operative parts of the device are held in a positiveposition, thereby maintaining the pressure at the exact part of the shoeit is desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the purposeset forth, wherein stretching forms of different contour, adaptable todifferent shapes of shoes, may be readily substituted and applied to thesame operating mechanism.

With these objects in yview the invention consists in the construction,combination and arrangement of the parts described in the forspecification, illustrated in the drawings and pointed out definitely inthe claims.

In the drawings Figure l is an elevation of the improved stretcher. Fig.2 is a plan view in the direction of arrow a, Fig. 1, showing a portionof the forms in section. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is asection through the cam housing, on line 4 4, Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is anend view of the cam housing detached, and a crosssection of the wormshaft.

Similar characters of reference are used to designate similar parts inthe drawings and specification.

Referring now to the drawings 1, 1 are the stretching members or forms,these may be of various different contours externally, making themadaptable to different styles of shoes. The forms 1, 1 are pivotallyattached to a bracket 2 by the hinge member la, the butts 2a, and thepintles 2b, forming hinges which admit of a lateral movement of theforms.

A buttress 3, adapted to rest in the rear end of the shoe and bear onthe counter, forms a housing in which an internally threaded sleeve 4 ismounted on lateral trun nions 4a, 4a. A tubular member 5 is threaded inthe sleeve 4, and extends through an opening 2b in the bracket 2. Anannular shoulder 5a bears on one side of said bracket, and a retainingnut 5b bears on the other side, sulficient clearance being allowed topermit the member 5 to turn freely in the opening 2b.

The meeting faces of the forms 1, 1 are provided with recesses 1b,adapted to incase a member 6, which forms a housing for the gamrs 7, 7which are mounted on the axles A rod 8 extends longitudinally throughthe tubular member 5, and has a terminal bearing 88L in the member 6.The rod 8 is provided with a worm 8b, which meshes with worm segments7b, 71 on the cam members 7, 7. The rod 8 is also provided with anannular shoulder 8c which has a thrust bearing on the end of the member5 or on the retaining nut 5b.

The outer terminal of the member 5 is provided with a hand-wheel 5, orother.

arranged as to admit of the independent operation of the two members 5and 8.

It will readily be seen, that when the device is inserted in a shoe,with the member 3 seated in the rear thereof, bearing on the counter,and the member 5 is propelled in the direction of arrow Z), Fig. l, thebracket 2 is forced forward, and carries the forms 1, l with it. It alsocarries the member 6 and its attachments with it, through the medium ofthe shoulder Sc.

The elongating or longitudinal stretching oit the shoe is accomplishedby the coperation of the members 3, 4, and 5 and the bracket 2 and formsVl, 1. 'stretching is accomplished by forcing the lforms forward to thedesired point, and then turning the rod 8 to the right. The worm 8bbeing in mesh with the worm segments 7b, 7", causes the cams 7, 7,bearing on the walls 1c of the recesses lb, to spread the forms more orless as desired. The longitudinal position of the forms is maintainedduring the application of the Vlateral stressl by the counter ot theshoe receiving the thrust.

I have herein described and shown a simple embodiment of the invention,but I do not consider that I am confined to this particula-r detailedconstruction only so far as stretcher members; a hinged connectionbetween the stretcher members and the interposed member; a vtubularmember having a threaded connection with the buttress meml ber and abearing on the interposed member; l

mechanism in the `stretcher members for impar-ting lateral movement tosaid Amem-` bers; and actuating means for said mecha-` The lateral ynism extending through the tubular member kand operative independent ofsaid tubular member.

2. In a shoe stretcher, the combination of a buttress member adapted tobe placed in the rear ci the shoe and bear on the counter; a tubularmember having a longitudinal threaded connection with the buttress; abracket having a swivel connection with the forward end of the tubularmember; stretcher forms pivotally connected with said bracket; mechanisminterposed between the stretcher forms for imparting lateral movement tosaid forms; and actuating means for said mechanism extending through thetubular member and adapted to be operated independent of said tubularmember.

3. In a shoe stretcher, the combination of a buttress member; aninternally threaded sleeve mounted in said buttrcss member; a tubularmember threaded through said sleeve; a bracket swiveled to one end ofsaid tubular member; stretcher forms provided with recesses, connectedwith said bracket and adapted to be moved toward and away from eachother; mechanism in said recesses for moving the forms; and actuatingmeans for said mechanism extending through the tubular member.

4L. In a shoe stretcher, the combination ot a buttrcss member; aninternally threaded sleeve mounted on trunnions in said buttress; atubular member threaded through said sleeve; a bracket swiveled to oneend of said tubular member; stretcher forms provided with recesses andhaving a laterally movable connection with the bracket; a housing memberwithin said recesses; cams mounted in said housing; and means foroperating said cams, whereby a lateral movement is imparted to theforms.

THOMAS AUGUSTUS LITTLEJOIIN. IVitnesses:

E. D. BARBER, J. O. KING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner .of Patents, Washington, D. C.

